To all Members, Parents, Guardians and Supporters

Dear all,

Re:- Corona Virus – Suspension of all Scout Meetings and Activities

It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you that, with immediate effect, all Scout meetings, events and activities are to be suspended in response to the global Corona Virus Pandemic.

This decision has been made by Scout Association headquarters, the body which 2nd Onchan and Scout Association – Isle of Man are a part of, who oversee all Scouting in Great Britain, including the Isle of Man. It was announced by UK Chief Commissioner, Tim Kidd, at 20:35 this evening.

The decision has been made in light of the current UK Government advice over Corona Virus. I, and all Leaders at 2nd Onchan and on the Isle of Man, are disappointed that this decision has been made at a national level, rather than at a local level, especially when noting that the position in the Isle of Man, and the advice of the Isle of Man Government, is different to the UK.

That said, we are a part of the UK Scouting family and must therefore follow its instructions and policies.

This means that with immediate effect no weekly Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer meetings will take place. All other Scouting events or activities, including the Bingo Night, Camps, Supersplash competition, Hikes, Parades and our Day Trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach are unfortunately cancelled. For those registered to attend Peak 2020, further information will be provided by the organisers.

For those who have made payments for upcoming Camps and Blackpool, we shall be contacting you to arrange for a refund of any payment. Please do allow us time to set this in motion.

As for our Bingo Night, due to take place this Friday, we will offer refunds for those that request them, however, we would ask you to consider donating the cost of any ticket towards our current fundraising efforts to carry out building works on the Scout Hall – this fund being the intended beneficiary of all proceeds from the night had it gone ahead.

At this time, we do not know when face to face Scouting will recommence – this will not be until after the Easter Holidays at the earliest. However, Leaders may try to offer some Scouting activities in the interim which you can do at home – virtual Scouting almost – allowing members to still work towards badges. Section Leaders will reach out with any such proposals.

This news is a shock to us and upsetting for our Leadership team. It is not something we want to do, but we must stand with our Scouting family in helping to try and overcome this pandemic.

I shall keep you updated on developments and let you know more information when I have it. In the first instance please make sure you are a member of your child’s section’s Facebook Group and also the general 2nd Onchan Group facebook.com/groups/2ndonchan

These are uncertain and rapidly changing times but we will be back! In the interim I can but wish you and your families well and encourage you to follow the latest Government advice to be found at gov.im/coronavirus

Yours in Scouting,

Alex Armstrong
Group Scout Leader